Coriolanus is at home with a few patricians and swears that he will
not change his mind, even under threat of the worst possible
method of death. Coriolanus voices his fear that although his
mother also hates the commoners, she will not approve of his
decision. As Volumnia enters, Coriolanus asks her why had she
has wished him to be milder in his dealings with the plebeians and,
thereby, be false to his true self. Volumnia answers that she has
only wanted him to be patient until he is elected consul.

Menenius enters with some Senators and protests that Coriolanus
has been “too rough” and must return to the marketplace and make
amends for his rash outburst of anger. The first Senator underlines
the gravity of the situation by saying that unless he does so, Rome
may be threatened by a civil war. Volumnia claims that although
she has a “heart of mettle,” as easily aroused as that of Coriolanus,
she also has a brain, which guides her to use her anger
advantageously. Menenius backs Volumnia and advises Coriolanus
to disguise his true feelings by putting on an armor of indifference.
After much pleading with Coriolanus to be more diplomatic,
Coriolanus says that he cannot do so, and Volumnia reproaches
him by saying, “you are too absolute.” She adds that if he lies to
the tribunes in order to achieve his ends, it will not be
dishonorable, for his fortune and fame are at stake. She paints a
vivid picture of how he should act in front of the commoners. With
his cap in his outstretched hand, Volumnia says Coriolanus should
kneel before the commoners and shake his head in repentance.
Menenius compliments for her wise words of counsel.

Cominius enters with the news that the commoners are seething
with anger in the marketplace and warns that Coriolanus must be
ready to defend himself or soothe them. Volumnia insists that
Coriolanus must and will placate the people. When he finally
relents, Coriolanus hates himself for stooping so low. Volumnia,
Menenius, and Cominius send him off with reminders that
“mildly” should be the keynote of his apology.

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Notes

In this scene, Coriolanus and his mother argue about how he must
go about retaining his honor and dignity. He does not want to
apologize or concede anything to the commoners, for he feels it
would be deceitful; but Volumnia, more a politician than he, insists
that in times of crisis, he must act with diplomacy. For Coriolanus,
having his mother demand that he acquiesce to the commoners
seems out of character. What he sees as betrayal to his character,
she sees as the proper behavior for the moment. As a result, this
scene, more than any so far, reveals an internal conflict within
Coriolanus. It also again singles him out from the other patricians,
who will play their political roles as best they can and with any
means they have.

Coriolanus seems somewhat meek before Volumnia, as she
dominates the scene with her eloquent appeals for him to act as he
should, rather than as he wants. She does not hesitate to reprimand
her son and criticize him for his hot-temper. Although Coriolanus
has been able to resist the please of his fellow nobleman, he is
powerless against the arguments of his mother. She is obviously
the stronger of the two, for she wears him down and convinces him
to humbly appear before the commoners in the marketplace. She
even suggests that he bow before the populace and shake his head
in repentance - anything to regain their support and win the
consulship. Ironically, Volumnia, who has taught Coriolanus honor
above all, is now suggesting that act in a dishonorable way, fully
betraying himself.

Cominius arrives with the news that the commoners are very
angry, and Coriolanus must either be prepared to fight or
apologize. It is Volumnia who states that Coriolanus will
apologize. Her control over her son, in the end, makes her
accountable for Coriolanus’ tragedy.